4K Digital Review of Ready or Not 2: Here I Come

 

Ready or Not 2: Here I come is the sequel to the 2019 Ready or Not. Taking place several years after the event of the first movie, we once again find Grace (Samara Weaving). She has found out that the game of the first movie isn't over. Her surviving the night of the first movie has caused a new game to begin. The rest of the devil-worshiping families from around the world have sent members of their family to hunt down Grace. 

Hunting Grace is a pair of insane siblings named Ursula and Titus (Sarah Michelle Gellar and Shawn Hatosy). Grace's sister Faith (Kathryn Newton) has shown up at the wrong time and is forced into the game with her sister. Will the two sisters survive?

While there is a lot of familiarity to the sequel, it is still a lot of fun. The first movie took place within the confines of a mansion and this one is on the grounds of a casino resort. Sarah and Shawn do steal the movie in the scenes they are in. 

Video:

The streaming 4K video is stunning. Unlike the first film that created a huge sense of claustrophobia, there is a lot more open space in this one and much of it takes place during the day. The bloody scenes are shown here in top-notch detail. The blood, the organs and body parts are all shown in extreme detail. 

Audio:

The Dolby Atmos audio track pulls no punches. The dialogue is crystal clear from the front channels. The ambient sounds literally surround you. It is everything you wanted for a horror movie. 

Bonus Material:

• The Game Goes On: The Making of Ready of Not 2 - a 4-part behind-the-scenes featurette featuring filmmakers, talent, designs, and the practical effects 

1. Part 1: Written in Blood - The directors and cast discuss what sets the sequel apart from the first film, and how the team expanded the story in a meaningful way
2. Part 2: Casting the Chaos - A spotlight on the film's main cast and what they each brought to their roles
3. Part 3: Designing for Destruction - Dive deeper into the design and execution of the film's finale with a look at the set construction, practical effects and the bloody aftermath left behind
4. Part 4: Blood, Guts and Practical Mayhem - Explore how the film's explosive deaths and blood gags were created with this breakdown of the practical effects and innovations, highlighting how the team built and expanded upon the techniques from the first film  

• Rules of the game - learn the rules of this deadly game of Hide and Seek, from the contained family ritual to the expanded high-stakes hunt 
• Gag Reel
• Audio Commentary - Directors/Executive Producers Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett, Samara Weaving and Kathryn Newton
• Audio Commentary - Directors/Executive Producers Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett, executive producers/writers Guy Busick and R. Christopher Murphy, producers James Vanderbilt and Tripp Vinson, and editor Jay Prychindny

Conclusion:

Ready or Not 2: Here I Come is not quite as entertaining as the first one but it is still a wild ride. With solid video and audio plus a wealth of bonus material that is generally lacking on most releases, this is a welcomed addition to your horror library.

Ready of Not 2: Here I Come is now available on digital with a Blu-ray and DVD release on June 16th.

*The movie was provided by Walt Disney Home Entertainment for this review but the review is strictly my own opinion*

4K Digital Review: The Testament of Ann Lee

 

In The Testament of Ann Lee, Amanda Seyfried plays Ann Lee, the founder of the devote religious sect known as the Shakers. We follow Ann Lee as she leads her followers from England to colonial America. In America, they hope to build a utopian society based on gender equality and communal faith. Through the use of reimagined Shaker hymns, we see the joy of Ann's vision as well as the costs. Her strength and faith are questioned in a world that is hesitant to believe what she is preaching.

Writer-director Mona Fastvold's approach is bold. The use of the Shaker hymns is less musical theater and more of prayers made to be seen. And Seyfried delivers a career-best performance. This is a film that wants to be felt, not just seen.  

Video:

The streaming 4K is beautiful. There is a natural graininess that brings the time period to life. The natural light in the daylight scenes and the candlelight scenes at night have exceptional clarity. There is a sense of real depth and texture.     

Audio:

The Dolby 5.1 audio mix is wonderful. It really captures the immersive level of the Shaker hymns. Dialogue is clear from the front channels. The surrounds do a great job with environmental effects as well as the score. 

Bonus Feature:

• The Testament of Ann Lee: A Special Look (21:40) - Join filmmakers and cast members - including director/co-writer Mona Fastvold and actor Amanda Seyfried - for a behind-the-scenes look at making this original film about compassion, empathy, community and one woman’s charismatic leadership in founding the Shaker movement. Learn details about the research, set design, cinematography, choreography, music and costume design that create the film’s spellbinding and extraordinary look and feel.

Conclusion:

The Testament of Ann Lee is a bold movie that feels less like a bio pic, and more of an experience. The streaming 4K video is exceptional as is the Dolby 5.1 audio. I do wish there was more than just one bonus feature. But this is a film that deserves a watch and another watch for good measure.

*The movie was provided by Walt Disney Home Entertainment for the purpose of this review. The review is strictly my own opinion.* 

The Testament of Ann Lee is available on digital now. 

4K Digital Review of Is This Thing On?

 

The latest film from director Bradley Cooper, "Is This Thing On?" tells the story of Alex (Will Arnett) and Tess (Laura Dern). Thyeh vae decided to end their marriage of 20 years and Alex turns to stand-up comedy as a way to try to understand what is happening. Tess, a former Olympian volleyball player and was one of the all-time greats. Since retirement she became a wife and a mom. With the upcoming divorce, she turns to volleyball once again but this time to become a coach.

Through the movie we learn about the difficulties of co-parenting and self-discovery. We also learn how hardships can lead you down new paths, opening up new doors. Arnett is outstanding as an everyman trying to handle failure. Blending his comedic skills in a dramatic role gives Alex a sense of vulnerability that feels believable. Dern is equally outstanding as she brings strength to a role that also showcases the quiet sacrifices of partnership. Her chemistry with Arnett is the grounds of the emotional core of the movie. 

Video:

The streaming 4K video is stunning. The streets and colors of New York come to life. Skin tones are accurate and details such as cloth and other materials are rich and vibrant. A wonderful transfer from Searchlight and Disney. 

Audio:

The Dolby Atmos audio track here is wonderful. Dialogue is crystal clear from the front channels. Ambient environmental sounds and audience laughter in stand-up comedy shows fill the surround channels. The score blends in around you. A solid audio mix from Searchlight and Disney. 

Bonus Feature*

• Mic Drop: Making Is This Thing On? – Go behind the scenes as filmmakers and cast open up about the inspirations behind this story of love, loss, and starting again. Get a glimpse into working with a remarkable ensemble and hear about how the team developed their comedy sets.

Conclusion:

"Is This Thing On?" is a solid look at separation and self-discovery. Solid performances from Arnett and Dern capture the pain of life at times as well the rewards that come through hardship. A decent bonus feature combined with solid video and audio make this a welcomed addition to your movie library. 

"Is This Thing On?" is available on digital and on 4K Blu-ray and DVD March 17th.

*The movie was provided by Walt Disney Home Entertainment for the purpose of this review. The review is strictly my opinion.*

4K Digital Review of Rental Family

 

Rental Family is a charming "feel good" film about human connections and a movie that is sorely needed at this time. Phillip (Brendan Fraser) is an American actor, living in Japan. His career is not going so great. He takes a gig to be a sad American, where he catches the eye of Shinji (Takehiro Hira), the owner of a "rental family" business. At this type of business, customers hire actors to fill in roles in their lives. 

Phillip isn't sure about taking this job but once he does his first gig he is hooked. But as he takes on further roles, he becomes emotionally invested and can see that he is making a positive difference in these people's lives. Two of these clients will also change Phillip forever.

The first is an elderly man, Kikuo (Akira Emoto), an aging actor with dementia. Phillip has been assigned to be a reporter who is seeking an interview. As the two men talk, the bond becomes strong. The second client is Mia (Shannon Mahina Gorman). Her mother needs a father to help place Mia into a private school. Phillip and Mia also develop a strong bond. Phillip never had a father in his own life and feels the paternal relationship between him and Mia. 

As the relationships between Kikuo and Mia flourish, Phillip can see how tricky it can be toying with people's lives and hearts. The ideas of finding connection and purpose while also feeling completely lost in life is apparent. It is a heavy, dramatic film filled with powerful performances that will stay with you long after the movie is over.      

Video:

The streaming 4K video is crisp and sharp. Skin tones are accurate and clothing is detailed. The background environments, both indoors and outdoors are sharp and clear. Another wonderful transfer from Searchlight and Disney.  

Audio:

The audio mix is subtle which is perfect for a movie such as this. The dialogue is crystal clear from the front channels. The environmental effects are subtle and immerse you in the scene. The beautiful score will surround you, envelope you, haunt you. 

Bonus Materials:

• Featurette: Rental Family Revealed — Go behind the scenes with Brendan Fraser, director HIKARI, and the Japanese cast as they explore friendship, culture, found family, and filming in Japan in this intimate look at the making of Rental Family.

 

• Deleted/Extended Scenes:
• Columbus
• Crying Session
• Apology
• Aiko’s First Client
• Clearbright
• Tickets
• Audition
• Phone Call
• Final Montage

Conclusion:

Rental Family is a deeply moving film that made me question my own role in life. Simple and honest storytelling with powerful performances throughout. A quiet charming film that will stay with you. Some good bonus features that would have done even better with an audio commentary. A highly recommended addition to your movie library.

4K Digital Review of The Roses

 

The Roses is a modern take on The War of The Roses that came out in 1989. That movie starred Michael Douglas and Kathleen Turner. This version stars Olivia Colman as Ivy and Benedict Cumberbatch as Theo. We see the two meet in London, where Theo's architectural firm is having a confab at a restaurant, where Ivy is the chef. It's love at first sight and the two move to Southern California, get married and have children. 

Suddenly, Theo's career tanks, while Ivy's skyrockets. As their relationship begins to fall apart, the dream home that Theo designed for Ivy becomes an obsession for both characters. And while there are differences between the source book and the first film, the rough outline of the story is similar. It falls apart with the sidekicks of this version. They actually bring the movie to a screeching halt rather than helping it propel forward. Sadly, this version never captures the magic of the first one. 

Video:

The 4K streaming video is fairly solid. Fabric textures on clothing and skin tones look fantastic. The Roses' home looks amazingly detailed as well. Some of the blue screened backgrounds though do not blend in as seamlessly as they should but this is a minor issue.

Audio:

The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 is solid. Dialogue is clean and clear. There is a lot of environmental effects which makes good use of the side and rear channels. The soundtrack is lively and immerses you. 

Bonus Materials

• Bloopers
• Featurettes:
• A House To Fight For – A behind-the-front-door look at the epicenter of both beauty and acrimony. See the construction of the Roses’ home, hear from the designer and the filmmakers on their vision, and discover the actors’ wish to take everything from the house home with them.
• The Roses: An Inside Look – Hear from the cast and filmmakers about making The Roses. Learn about the actors’ connection and chemistry, and join the grounded, satirical, British, wry wit that only Olivia Colman and Benedict Cumberbatch can pull off.
• Comedy Gold – This cast is stacked with comedy talent bringing Tony McNamara’s witty dialogue to life with Jay Roach directing. Even Olivia Colman had to ask about this special cast, “How the F did we get them?”

Conclusion:

This remake of The War of The Roses has great performances from Cumberbatch and Colman. Technical specs are solid and some decent bonus materials make this a good recommendation to add to your library.

The Roses is out on digital now and out on Blu-ray and DVD November 25th. 

*The movie was provided by Walt Disney Home Entertainment for the purpose of this review and my review is strictly my opinion.*

4K Digital Review of A Complete Unknown

 

Robert Zimmerman (Timothee Chalamet), a complete unknown 19 year old, hitchhikes his way to New York. He is trying to meet his idol Woodiy Gurthie (Scoot McNairy). Zimmerman finds him in a hospital in New Jersey where Pete Seeger (Edward Norton) is keeping Woody company. Woody is near death and Zimmerman, soon to change his name to Bob Dylan, plays a song of his. Seeger becomes Dylan's mentor and introduces his to other stars such as Joan Baez (Monica Barbaro). 

Here we enter the evolution of popular music. The radical changes from the music after the World War 2 era. We see the rise of Rock and Roll and the growth of "folk music". The popularity of "folk music" in the 1960s with its powerful messages and how Dylan helped shaped and influence that music for years to come.  

Video:

The 4K streaming video is beautiful. The movie was shot using Sony's CineAlta cameras that gives the movie more of an actual shot on film look. There is a graininess that gives the movie the look and feel of a documentary from the time period rather than being a modern digital movie. The level of detail is still phenomenal from close-ups to wide shots taking in all the scenery. Another solid transfer from Disney.

Audio:

The streaming Dolby Atmos audio mix is impressive. The music is such a huge part of this story and the audio mix takes full advantage of the speakers in front of you and behind you. The live performances immerse you into the movie. The surround channels are very activate for not only the music but the environmental sounds. The dialogue is rich and clear from the front channels. Just an elevated audio experience from Disney. 

Bonus Feature:

• The Making of A Complete Unknown
• The Story
• Timothée Chalamet as Bob Dylan
• The Supporting Cast
• The Design
• Audio Commentary by James Mangold

Conclusion:

A solid movie with powerful performances that not looks at the music and the early days of Dylan, but the incredible world of changes happening around these events. A solid video and audio package with two wonderful bonus features makes this a highly recommended addition to your library. A Complete Unknown is currently available on digital.

*The movie was provided by Walt Disney Home Entertainment for the sole purpose of this review. The review is strictly my opinion.*

4K Digital Review of A Real Pain

 

A Real Pain follows the story of two cousins, David (Jesse Eisenberg), and Benji (Kieran Culkin), going on a trip to Poland after their grandmother passed away. She was a Polish Holocaust survivor, and the two cousins are on a Holocaust tour to pay tribute and honor her memory. At one time the cousins were as close as brothers but over time they drifted apart. David went on to get married and have a child and also have a successful career, while Benji lives in a basement and has no motivation in life. 

Culkin won the Golden Globe for Best Supporting  Actor and for good reason. His character Benji is a complex person. He can make you love him and then he can make you hate him. You never know what to expect from him. He can make you laugh and he can make you cry. David is shy and reserve with Eisenberg giving a solid performance. 

The video quality is fantastic here. The colors, the lighting brings a depth to every scene. The cinematography reflects the slower pacing of this film and does not draw attention to itself. 

The audio quality is perfect. The ambient sounds play in the background while the dialogue is front and center and is crystal clear. The beautiful score is almost entirely from the works of 19th century composer Frederic Chopin. 

Bonus Features:

• Beautiful Fate: Making A Real Pain – Take a tour through the heart and history of Poland while going behind the scenes of A Real Pain. Explore the themes of family and connection with Jesse Eisenberg and Kieran Culkin. Experience all the humor and humanity that brought this story to life.

Conclusion:

A Real Pain is a truly special dramedy. A rare film that blends both drama and comedy to tell a heartfelt story of two cousins who fully understand one another and at the same time not understand each other at all.

A Real Pain is available on digital now and on Blu-Ray on February 4th.

* The movie was provided for the purpose of review by Walt Disney Home Entertainment. The review is strictly my opinion.*

4K Digital Review: All of Us Strangers

 

Adam (Andrew Scott) is a TV screenwriter living in London. He is not only struggling with his writing but still dealing with the loss of his parents at a very young age. One day the fire alarm goes off in his building and he makes eye contact with a handsome young neighbor named Harry (Paul Mescal). Shortly after this, Adam "sees" his parents. They see him as an adult but they appear to be the same age as when they died.

Adam then runs into Harry again and again. The two men spend quite a lot of time together and their relationship grows. At the same time Adam sees his parents more often and they get to know Adam as an adult. They accept him as a gay man, learn about his new love and help Adam learn to deal with his grief of losing them so many years ago.

Both Adam and Harry are lost souls that have found one another. Adam must learn to let go of his parents and live with that loss. Harry has his own secret and we may discover it by the end of the movie. 

Video:

The 4K digital streaming video is excellent. The colors are absolutely gorgeous here with beautiful details and true to life skin tones. 

Audio:

The audio mix is a solid 5.1 mix with very little surround activity. Dialogue is solid and the main part of the audio mix. 

Bonus Features:

Roots of The Story - taking a look at the creation of the film from book to screen and how the changes made for this version were personal to the director

Building Adam's World - adds to the first bonus feature by taking a look at scenes that were filmed in Haigh's childhood home

Conclusion:

Loss and grief play a huge part in this movie as does love and acceptance. This is a sad film and this film proves that loss has no timeline. But also in grief, you can  find beauty and this film proves it. 

All of Us Stranger is available now on digital and on HULU.

*The film was provided for review by Walt Disney Home Entertainment and my review is strictly my own opinion*

4K Digital Review: Next Goal Wins

 

Based on the true story of the 2001 American Samoa soccer team that lost to Australia 31-0 in the World Cup. Over the next ten years, American Samoa never scored one goal in any international match, making them the worst ranked national team in the FIFA World rankings. 

The US Soccer Federation, in a last ditch effort to save the team, sends in washed-up soccer coach Thomas Rongen (Michael Fassbender). The team is worse off than feared with leadership issues including a coach who doesn't want to be there. But over time, everyone slowly comes together as a team and a family. 

Video:

The streaming 4K video is another wonderful transfer from Disney. The details in the textures and facial features are excellent. Colors are vibrant especially when it comes to the scenery from the tropical jungle to the beaches and ocean. 

Audio:

The Dolby Digital Plus 5.1 is fairly solid. As always, the dialogue is crisp and clear. There isn't a lot from the surround channels until later in the movie during the big game. 

Bonus Features:

Featurette

• Creating The Pitch of Life - Explore filmmaker Taika Waititi’s loving homage to American Samoa, Polynesian culture, and the sports movie in this delightfully entertaining short-form documentary.  See what it took to make a winning movie about the losingest soccer team in the world.

 

Deleted Scene

• Priest Blessing the Team4K

Conclusion:

A very entertaining movie that I want to see more from Disney. The great family movie in the sports genre is what has been missing from Disney in a long time. This fits right in with Cool Runnings, The Rookie and the like. Great video and audio quality as we have come to expect from Disney. And fun bonus features to round off a welcomed addition to your library.

Next Goal Wins is currently out on digital and on February 27th on Blu-ray and DVD.

*The film was provided for the sole purpose of review by Walt Disney Home Entertainment and the review is strictly my opinion*

4K Digital Review: Theater Camp

 

Theater Camp was acquired by Searchlight Pictures after the 2023 Sundance Film Festival and after a very short time in theaters, it is available to stream at home. While you can watch it on Hulu, you will not get all of the bonus features only available on the digital release. Please note that there is no physical copy release. 

The film opens with AdirondACTS theater camp founder Joan (Amy Sedaris) suffering a seizure from the strobe lights during a staging of Bye Bye Birdy. Her son Troy (Jimmy Tatro), who knows nothing about drama or the theatrical arts, is forced to step in to run the camp while she recovers. The returning camp counselors Amos (Ben Platt) and Rebeccas-Diane (Molly Gordon) are not happy with Troy especially since he has cut a number of counselors to help save on costs. It turns out the camp has been running for years at a loss and a neighboring camp wants the land. 

Theater Camp is shot mockumentary style and is filled with situational humor. Most of the film is improvised and all the actors do an incredible job, especially the child actors. If you were ever part of a drama club or camp, either as a student or a teacher, Theater Camp will bring back found memories.    

Video:

Theater Camp was shot to recreate the look of 16mm film. The look is soft with muted colors and artificial film grain that really capture this look of 16mm film. 

Audio:

The audio presentation is in a 5.1 audio mix. The dialogue is crisp and clean with little surround sound presence other than music and crowd noise and ambience. It is a dialogue heavy film so no surprise with the audio coming mostly front the front channels. 

Bonus Features

• Side by Side by Side: A Theater Camp Chat (7:17) – Go backstage with the creative team of THEATER CAMP as they discuss why being in sync as actors, writers, friends, and filmmakers brought their comedy to life. Featuring Ben Platt, Molly Gordon, Noah Galvin, Jimmy Tatro, Owen Thiele, and Nick Lieberman.
• Deleted Scenes (4:44) – Enjoy a front-row seat to some of the funniest material ever to grace a cutting room floor in this string of highly amusing deleted scenes.
• Extended Scenes (4:05) – Sometimes the comic magic just can't be contained in the final cut. So, when enough isn't quite enough and you crave just a little bit more, these extended scenes are the perfect thing to satisfy you!
• Talent Showcase Reels (16:52) – Witness the improvisational genius of the cast in these talent showcase reels and watch as the actors build upon and embellish each scene with hilarious, impromptu, alternate takes.
  • Rebecca-Diane (4:06)
  • Amos (3:29)
  • Troy (2:45)
  • Songwriting with Rebecca-Diane & Amos (3:41)
  • Troy Meets with Rebecca-Diane & Amos (2:58)
• Outtakes (3:36) – With a cast as funny as this, it's no surprise that even these pros couldn't keep from cracking up. This outtake reel reveals just how hard it can be to keep a straight face.

Conclusion:

A fun film that pays a loving homage to those that were in drama club. A quirky mockumentary with solid audio and fun video to recreate the 16mm film feel. Some fun bonus features but I would have loved an audio commentary. 

* The digital copy was provided by Walt Disney Home Entertainment for the sole purpose for the review and the review is solely my opinion*

4K Digital Review: Chevalier

 

Chevalier is inspired by the true story of composer Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint Georges. He was the illegitimate son of a plantation owner and an African slave. Instead of a traditional bio-pic we get a look at an important time in Chevalier's life that showcases his struggle with racial and social issues. 

Joseph (Kelvin Harrison Jr.) is a master of the violin and his performances grab the attention of Marie Antoinette (Lucy Boyton). She gives him Chevalier status, and giving him a trusted place in the court. When Joseph wants to leave his place with the Paris Opera, Marie has other plans and sparks a competition with composer Gluck (Henry Lloyd-Hughes). Joseph then sets out to form a strong team with the help of Marie-Josephine (Samara Weaving) a singer married to Marquis De Montalembert (Martin Csokas) a powerful man. Working together brings Joseph and Marie-Josephine close together on other levels than just being professional. 

In the end, this period of time in the life of Chevalier, showcases pushing the boundaries of what was considered acceptable in society by a man of color. A man determined to not only leave his mark on history but to also pave the path for others to follow him. 

Video:

The 4K video is stunning especially when it comes to the details of the period costumes. The fine details down to the materials is very evident. Skin tones are picture perfect as well. 

Audio:

The Dolby 5.1 audio mix is wonderful especially when it comes to the score and any musical piece in the movie. Dialogue is front and center and easily understood. 

Bonus Featurette:

• Chevalier: Note By Note - Discover the untold story of Joseph Bologne, an incredibly talented violinist and composer. In this piece we hear from filmmakers, cast and crew on their journey from discovering this hidden historical figure to bringing his story to life. (TRT 15:49) 

Conclusion:

A powerful movie about racial and social struggles in a time where some were expected to fail and yet on their lonely road of social justice and equality. The bonus feature is short and I wish there was more. Still recommended to be in your movie collection. 

Chevalier is currently available on digital.

*The review copy was provided by Walt Disney Home Entertainment for the sole purpose of review. The opinions expressed are strictly my own*

Digital Review: Empire of Light

 

Director and writer Sam Mendes brings us a drama about human connection during turbulent times.  We find ourselves in a coastal English town in the 1980s. We meet Hilary (Olivia Colman), a manager of the local movie theater and struggling with mental health issues. New employee Stephen (Michael Ward) looks to leave this town where he faces racial issues each and every day. These two unlikely souls find each other and learn about the power of movies and community.

Sadly, the movie suffers from a script that is not engaging for the audience. Perhaps it is the subject matter that makes the film feel depressing and joyless. The saving grace is the brilliant cinematography by Roger Deakins. The vintage theater becomes a character and conveys mood in many of the scenes. 

Video Quality:

The 1080p image here is striking. From facial textures to color reproduction, the vivid imagery pushes the HD image as far as it can go. Black levels are deep and inky. The field of depth is natural with no blur at all. 

Audio Quality:

The 5.1 track is solid here. The dialogue, score and sound effects are all loud and clear and yet never get in the way of one another. The rear channels are put to good use as well creating a nice ambiance in each scene. 

Bonus Features:

Featurette

• Creating Empire of Light - Go behind the scenes of this personal film with writer-director Sam Mendes, and uncover the story’s origins and the director’s love of cinema. See how the perfect location was found to rebuild a classic movie theater that had the cast in awe.

Conclusion:

Empire of Light is a depressing tale that does have wonderful video and audio. There is only one bonus feature. This is recommended as a rental or viewed on a streaming service before deciding if this needs to be a purchase.

*The movie was provided by Walt Disney Home Entertainment for the sole purpose of review. The review is solely my own opinion.*

Digital Movie Review: The Menu

 

Horror and humor come together in The Menu features a group of diners heading to the exclusive Hawthorne facility where a meal is $1,250 per person. Only 12 customers will be dining tonight. Margot (Anya Taylor-Joy) and Tyler (Nicholas Hoult) are prepared for a fine dinner. Tyler considers himself a huge foodie and an even bigger fan of Chef Julian Slowik (Ralph Fiennes). The customers discover that tonight's menu is designed to tell a story. As the meal and the story unfolds, things begin to get strange. Is it part of the show or something more sinister?

Video Quality:

The HD video is a beautiful 1080p presentation. There is some extremely fine detail levels here especially when it comes to the food. The props, sets and actors are all presented here in a fine natural looking color scheme with little to no compression issues.

Audio Quality:

The Dolby Digital 5.1 audio track is decent. Dialogue is clear though in the beginning of the film, the dialogue is seemingly second to the ambient environmental effects. The surround channels are subtle and creates a wonderful sense of space. The score also shares the space in the surround channels.  

Bonus Features:

Featurettes: Open Kitchen: A Look Inside The Menu - Feast on the special ingredients of The Menu to see how director Mark Mylod and his formidable cast, the biting script and renowned chef consultants concocted the perfect recipe to bring authenticity and dark humor to the film’s high-end culinary world.

• First Course: Take a seat at the table as director Mark Mylod delves into some of the key ingredients that went into crafting The Menu. Meet the renowned chefs and food stylists who brought their culinary expertise to the set.
• Second Course: Savor the world-building of Hawthorn, from kitchen “boot camp,” to the meticulous details of the production design. Hear from the cast and writers about the director’s naturalistic approach to capturing the nuances of the performances.
• Dessert: Dig into the creation of the s’mores sequence as costume designer Amy Westcott explains the painstaking process of sewing ponchos made of actual marshmallows. The cast discusses chocolate hats and the absurd predicament of their characters.

Deleted Scenes: There are three deleted scenes.

Conclusion:

The Menu is the perfect horror movie for those that don't like horror movies. It is dark, intense and humorous. The performances are fantastic and draw you further into the story. The video quality is fantastic and the audio mix brings you in the restaurant over the course of the meal. Bonus features are at a minimum. But this is highly recommended. 

 The Menu is available on digital now and on Blu-Ray and DVD on January 17.

*The movie was provided for review purposes by Searchlight Pictures but the review is strictly my own*

4K Digital Review: See How They Run

 

On the surface, See How They Run looks like a mystery that will go through the motions. It is 1953 in London's West End and Agatha Christie's "The Mousetrap" is celebrating its 100th performance with a lavish party. Hollywood Director Leo Kopernick (Adrien Brody) is murdered there and Inspector Stoppard (Sam Rockwell) is put on the case with rookie Constable Stalker (Saorise Ronan). 

The world is a beautiful take on the 1950s and the jazz score is perfection. David Oyelowo is fantastic as the obnoxious screenwriter and Harris Dickinson is superb in his take on actual "The Mousetrap" star Richard Attenborough. But Rockwell and Ronan are the true standouts here. They play off each other extremely well. 

The twists and turns of the film do its best to outsmart you. It is a very entertaining film and a wonderful gateway to newcomers to the mystery genre. 

Video:

The streaming 4K UHD video is stunning. Colors are bright and dazzling, skin tones are natural, clothing material details are crystal clear and blacks are inky. A wonderful transfer that we expect from Disney. 

Audio:

The streaming 5.1 audio track is superb. From the very beginning the environmental of the street and the theater surround you, inviting you into this world. Dialogue is crystal clear, the score is vibrant and fills the room and ambient sounds fill in the rest in the surround channels. 

Bonus Features:

• See How They Run Behind The Curtain – Hear from the talented filmmakers and cast as they pull back the curtain on the filmmaking process which had its unique challenges and rewards. Take a look at the special access to famous locations as well as the care and detail used to recreate them.

Conclusion:

See How They Run is an entertaining film filled with laughs and a fun take on the mystery genre. The video and audio presentation shines though I wish there were a few more supplementary features. I am always a fan of a good audio commentary that would add to the bonus features. 

*The film was sent by Walt Disney Home Entertainment for the sole purpose of review. The review is solely my opinion.*

4K Digital Review: Nightmare Alley

 

Nightmare Alley is adapted from the novel of the same name by Lindsay Gresham and the basis for the 1947 movie starring Tyrone Power. The 1947 movie is considered to be one of the greatest in film noir. This time is it director Guillermo del Toro's take and it is easily his most beautiful film yet to date.  

The film opens with a mysterious scene and Stanton Carlisle (Bradley Cooper) is on the run. He ends up at a traveling carnival, where the carnival's barker (Willem Dafoe) finds him a job. Soon he becomes friends with Zeena "The Seer" (Toni Collette) and her husband Pete (David Strathairn) and becomes part of their act. Stanton learns their secrets and leaves with Molly (Rooney Mara), an innocent young women who also has an act at the carnival. 

Less than a decade later, Stanton and Molly have a mentalist act that lures in the socially elite. At one of the shows, they meet Dr. Lilith Ritter (Cate Blanchett) who is out to disprove his abilities. Will this be the end of the scam or just the start? This is now a battle to the finish. 

Audio

The Dolby Atmos track is perfect considering the film's genre of film noir.  So don't expect a lot of attention-grabbing sounds but the use of creating depth using the score as well as atmosphere and other sound effects draw you further into the movie without causing any distractions. 

Video

The streaming 4K video is fantastic with incredible detail and visual depth. With the use of many sequences of the film using close-ups the richness of the details shine. The skintones, costumes and sets are superbly rendered. The use of shadows and lighting look very natural. 

Bonus Features

• Del Toro’s Neo Noir – Writer-director Guillermo del Toro and his standout cast decipher the dark, complicated world of Nightmare Alley. The filmmaker reveals how his take on noir is rooted in classic cinema but offers an accessible, modern narrative.
• Beneath the Tarp – Production designer Tamara Deverell and her talented team skillfully delivered both a decaying traveling carnival world and a gilded Art Deco high society with striking visuals. We explore how this design supported del Toro’s genre-bending filmmaking.
• What Exists in the Fringe – Costume designer Luis Sequeira unravels his collaboration with Guillermo del Toro and reveals the symbolism that’s constantly at play in the film’s carefully crafted wardrobe’s design.

Conclusion

Nightmare Alley is a beautiful journey into film noir. The video quality is wonderful and the audio mix draws you further into the film. There is a fair offering of bonus features. You owe it to yourself to add this to your collection.

Nightmare Alley is now available on Digital and on 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray and DVD on March 22. 

*disclaimer: the digital copy was provided to me by Walt Disney Home Entertainment for the purpose of review but the opinions are strictly mine alone*